The proceeds from the Florida Thoroughbred Charities' "Bright Futures" auction reached an all-time high, raising more than $60,000 from its live and silent auctions and more than $260,000 from its stallion seasons auction. The live and silent auctions/cocktail party was held at Steinbrenner's Yankee Ramada Inn Jan. 16. The stallion seasons auction was held Jan. 17 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company with 121 seasons donated by Ocala/Marion County Thoroughbred farms and stallion owners. FTC has now raised more than $3 million since its inception in 1990. All proceeds from these annual events are returned to equine, community and education-related charitable organizations within the state of Florida, the Ocala/Marion County area and the Thoroughbred industry.
For the second consecutive year, the Old Timer's Day package donated by George M. Steinbrenner III, which included first-class roundtrip airfare for four to New York, accommodations at The Regency Hotel and seats in the Owner's Box, brought the live auction's highest bid. A no-guarantee season to Adena Springs' Red Bullet topped the stallion season auction.